C. O.

8

Mr.

Mr.

Mr.

Str H. Moore.

Sir G. Tomlinson.

Sir C. Bottomley.

Sir J. Shuckburgh.

Permt. U.S. of S.

Parly. U.S. of S.

Secretary of State.

spacing of the works to be undertaken.

should bifficulty

financing it as it

Kands.

found

I have, etc.

4

DRAFT.

FURTHER ACTION.

(Sgd.) MALCOLM MacDONALD

(*801-150) Wt. 13952-47 10,000 6/37 T.S. 695 (*1426-150) Wt. 27532-64 15,000 11/37 T.S. 695

No. 613

AIR MAIL

9

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

HONG KONG,

5th August, 1938.

٢٠

Sir,

I have the honour to inform you that I have had

under consideration the preparation of a programme of major

public works which are likely to be commenced during the

next few years. A memorandum has been drawn up accordingly,

of which I enclose a print, in the form of a draft sessional

paper.

2.

The memorandum explains the desirability of an

orderly programme and sets out in detail the reasons for

each of the works proposed to be included together with the

amounts expected to be spent in each of the next five years.

It explains also in paragraph three how it is expected to be

able to finance these works. The only qualification which

I have to make in that respect, in the light of the review of the 1939 estimates which is now in progress, is that I

am forced to the conclusion that an expansion of the current

charges is inevitable, particularly on defence and health

measures, and it may therefore be desirable to withdraw the

definite statement that the present programme could be met

without any addition to the present low level of taxation.

The programme has been discussed informally with members of

the Finance Committee and while they have not given

specific approval to all its items they are generally in

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

MALCOLM MACDONALD, M.P.,

&c., &c.,

&c., &c.

Page

10

favour of the proposals in the draft memorandum. I have

to invite your approval, under Colonial Regulation 224,

of the submission to Legislative Council of estimates for

the carrying out of works in accordance with this

programme, modified according to circumstances.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient, humble servant,

/. hat. Worthwh

Governor.

age 10

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age 10Page 11

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